WMUTeach

Looks like we are all "hooked on rulers". Yes, indeed they help us to be accurate cutters and square uppers. It make me wonder how our "grandquilters" ever made an accurate cut or square block with paper templates. It only adds to my amazement and admiration at what beauties they created without out plethora of tools. No, I am not willing to give up my tools. I suspect our "grandquilters" also were more patient than some of us may be.

travelinggramma

WMUTEACH- love the “grandquilters” . I recall all the old magazines with templates to cut out to make quilts. First I would have to be able to cut them out straight and then copy and recipe and cut and recut. I think o attempted one block and it ended in garbage! I am sure they didn’t use the ‘scant’ 1/4” either!!
Besides the various rulers and multiple seam rippers, I love painters tape. I use it on my rulers when I want a certain size. And on my machine (using a few layers)

WMUTeach

I just sent the Birthday Swapper list for March. Tee-Hee-Hee! I hope to see everyone right here very soon.

FYI January was winter in Michigan. The last 5 days were spring. Today we are returning to winter. Yesterday it was 60 degrees and today it is 36 degrees with snow on the way. "Whip lash" is the most commonly used phrase this morning referring to our end of the week weather. A fine excuse to stay in and work on quilting projects or watch the Olympics. I bet that those trumpets are playing the Olympic Fanfare in your head.

Have a wonderful day and weekend everyone.

Janice McC

WMUTeach, we’re going to have some winter whiplash, too. 70s today, teens in a couple of days. I think I’ll get out for a nice walk again today to soak I’m up the temps while I can.

Hope you all enjoy your weekend.

JENNR8R

I would love to design my own leather purses. I can never find a purse that suits me in the way of compartments, height, width, etc. I saw a YouTube video on using a leather awl and thought I could do that if I were strong enough. I'm not willing to jump down that rabbit hole though. Look where making my first quilt got me.

pamelor

A craft I'd like to start? I'm not very "crafty" but I have just tried my hand at sewing an under-tube bike bag for one of my bikes. It actually turned out reasonably so I'll try another for another new bike. I've thought about learning to sew simple garments for myself but I'm daunted by the learning curve in making something that would have to actually drape correctly and fit a human. But, every time I order a mail order piece of clothing that doesn't fit, I'm reminded of this idea.

Quossum

I’ve actually tried most of the crafts that I’ve had any interest in. I’ve crocheted, knitted, cross-stitched, and made rag rugs. I still make the rugs (it’s a good project to take with me visiting and camping), but I’ve cleaned out the yarn arts and most of the cross-stitch, though I’ve kept maybe three projects that I actually want to finish… someday.

But if I could start a whole new craft at my big age…

Hmm… I’ve always thought it would be cool to be able to sew my own clothing. I mean, I do already have a sewing machine…

travelinggramma

I have been looking into Sashiko. I have done Swedish hacking and enjoy the simple easy patterns. I wear denim shirts year round and like to decorate them. Sashiko looks interesting. Ordered a few books from library so will practice with cotton scraps and embroidery floss which I have on hand.
Great topic WMUTEACH

JulieG

If I wanted to take up a new craft I'd like to learn cake decorating. Not sure why since I don't bake cakes and I even prefer pie over cake. It just seems like it would be fun. When I was younger I used to make quite a few clothes for myself but as I got older and things "shifted" (ha ha!) it became tiresome to do all the up front pattern adjustments needed. I must say, though, one of the best vacations I ever took was when I went to Portland for a week-long Palmer & Pletsch fit workshop. It was held in the classroom at the enormous Fabric Depot store where we could keep a running tab of things purchased and were given wholesale pricing. The woman that sat next to me in the class was a twig (I am definitely curvy) - we were partners and had to practice on each other. Practically the only alteration she needed was making things longer (so easy!); I on the other hand needed full bust, full upper arms, rounded back, blah blah blah....we kept breaking into gales of laughter when she would hold up examples of my necessary alterations and the pattern pieces were Frankensteined and obviously not for her. It was a lot of fun.

wesing

If I were to take up another craft I’d like to paint. I’ve done a couple of Bob Ross paintings and they turned out pretty well.